By Michael Bartlett on August 29th, 2024 in PFAS
Aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, is a fire suppressant commonly used in the US Air Force and other military branches to put out fuel fires. Over the past decades, studies have revealed that exposure to toxic firefighting foam chemicals like PFAS increases the firefighter's risk of developing cancers, including kidney cancer or renal cell carcinoma.
Until a few years ago, AFFF was extensively used at military airfields, flight decks, and at airports operated by the US Air Force. It was useful in extinguishing fires caused by liquid fuel such as gasoline and petroleum as it formed a coating over the burning fuel and cut off the oxygen supply to the fire. However, PFAS present in AFFF is the primary cause of the withdrawal of firefighting foam. PFAS, nicknamed forever chemicals, is called this way because of its persistence in nature and our bodies.
PFAS is present in detectable levels in the serum of 98% of adults in the US. A study published in 2020 reported a significantly higher risk of renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer, among participants with higher concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in their blood. A recent study conducted by the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch (OEEB) revealed that high blood levels of certain types of PFAS such as PFOA and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) are associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer.
At the initial stages of kidney cancer, there are usually no symptoms. Gradually, kidney functions decline, and you may start developing symptoms including:
The latency period of AFFF-related kidney cancer is 15 years. Watch out for the above symptoms of kidney cancer if you have been exposed to firefighting foam.
Firefighters are at a greater risk of exposure to toxic PFAS by inhaling spray mist or dust while using firefighting foam at their workplace. Additionally, firefighters get exposed to the chemical through the use of contaminated personal protective equipment.
If you or your loved one worked as a civilian or military firefighter where AFFF was used and have been diagnosed with kidney cancer, you might qualify to receive compensation for your illness. Avoiding delay and taking the first step towards your legal action is better. Seek expert guidance from our dedicated lawyers at ELG to get your advice on legal rights and steps in filing a claim.